TikTokTikTok is excited to be launching a new programme of activity across TikTok LIVE to celebrate Black History Month.
Starting on Tuesday 6th October, and throughout the month, Black History, Black Present and Black Future will bring key conversations in the Black community to the forefront, told by those who are leaders in their own right, all through the medium of LIVE, TikTok's live-streaming product.
The new series will include 7 TikTok LIVE panel discussions covering topics from Black Hair, Beauty and Fashion, mental health, Black history in the school curriculum, as well as spotlighting comedy, entrepreneurship and gaming across the Black community. It will feature guests including TV presenter June Sarpong, make-up artist Anne Olayinka, social commentator Patrick Philip Vernon OBE, comedian Chanté Josephand entrepreneur and Capital XTRA DJ Remel London.
TikTok is the home of authentic content and this series of TikTok LIVEs aims to build on this inclusivity by encouraging more community members to celebrate their true, genuine selves, and share their experiences in a safe and supportive space. The series will honour the history of Black people here in the UK and celebrate this community. Discover more about how TikTok are marking Black History Month 2020 in the UK.
With real-life events still on hold, the Black History, Black Present and Black Future campaign presents a unique opportunity for TikTokers to listen and engage in conversation on topics that matter to them, to learn something new, to be entertained and inspired all from the safety of their own home.
Commenting on the Black History, Black Present and Black Future series, Trevor Johnson, Global Business Marketing Director, TikTok said: "It was important for us to mark Black History Month in the UK this year in a way that felt inherently TikTok - by celebrating our creators and their stories. #myroots will honour the contribution made by the Black community, the joy our black friends, family and colleagues bring, and look ahead to the future of Black talent on TikTok.
"This campaign has been developed to shine a light on the different experiences and stories of the Black community, and has been carefully curated to feature the brightest Black talent from across the UK.
"At TikTok, we take great pride in the diverse community we hope to nurture on TikTok. We know it's something we constantly need to work on and we will continue to make sure programmes like this become an everyday part of the TikTok experience for the 100 million people who use our platform across Europe."
To watch the TikTok LIVEs head to @tiktok_uk page, hosted at John Henry's in Kings Cross, delivered by PIXL Evolution. Here are our TikTok Black History Month 2020 LIVEs highlights...
- LIVE: Black Skin and Beauty TikTalk - 06/10/2020 6pm BST
This roundtable discussion between TikTok's very own Anne Olayinka, beauty influencer, Laila Loves, and journalist and writer, Gena-mour Barrett will be around skin-care routines, the importance of wearing SPF and sharing hints and tips on products with black skin in mind.
- LIVE: Black Hair TikTalk - 08/10/2020 6pm BST
A 60 minute roundtable discussion hosted by Remel London on hair-care, featuring Laila-Jean founder of Wild Seed Botanicals™️, Emma Dabiri, social historian and author of Don't Touch My Hair and Aaron Wallace, founder of By Aaron Wallace, products created for beards, hair and skincare for men.
- LIVE: Mental Health in the Black Community - 10/10/2020 6pm BST
In this conversation, guests will unpack mental health within the black community, addressing the stigma and sharing their thoughts on balancing daily life using therapeutic tools. Featuring Claudia-Liza Armah, Host; Patrick Vernon OBE, Journalist & Social Commentator; June Sarpong, Head of D&I at the BBC; Vas Morgan, TV Personality and Journalist Lord Adebowale.
- LIVE: A Spotlight on British Comedy - 13/10/2020 6pm BST
As more Black-British comedians make a name for themselves and carve out their space in the industry, we explore the influence of social media, the trials and tribulations, the wins and celebrations of comedy. Hosted by Chanté Joseph with other acts to be confirmed.
- LIVE: Educational Equity: Black History in the Educational System - 20/10/2020 6pm BST
Education in any form is imperative and access, even more so. This panel will debate the path to equitable learning in the British schooling curriculum, provide commentary on the effects of an inequitable curriculum and share insights on how the private sector can impact new avenues for learning. This conversation will be facilitated by Remel London with other speakers including; TikTok creator Naomie El; historian David Olusoga; and more to come.
- LIVE: Being Black @ Work - 22/10/2020 6pm BST
A conversation about Black people’s experience in the workplace, particularly around the use of terminology and navigating authenticity, delivered through the lens of Black people in various industries. Hosted by Chanté Joseph, with panellists including TikTok's very own Trevor Johnson, Global Business Marketing Director, TikTok; Pascal Akaronye, Systems Manager, Arsenal FC; and Ria Laurent-Hughes, Global Privacy Project Manager, Cognizant
- Black professionals in the UK gaming industry panel - 23/10/2020 6pm BST
A roundtable discussion looking at what it's like to be a Black Professional in the UK Gaming Industry, focussing on what needs to be done to get more people into the industry. Hosted by Elle Osili-Wood, video games presenter and journalist; Des Gayle, Founder of Altered Gene; Lauren Dillion, Senior Account Director at Premier PR; Jide Agbalaya, Systems Infrastructure Manager, SEGA Europe; Dave Springer, Software Engineer, The Multiplayer Guys; Charlotte Harris, Senior Producer, SEGA Europe.
- LIVE: Entrepreneurship, careers and education- 24/10 6pm BST
As the Black community strives further toward equity and ownership, we sit down with a range of tech and media entrepreneurs to talk about their journey as entrepreneurs, as well as how they established their brands. We sit down to hear insights from; Wilfrid Obeng, AudioMob CTO and Co-Founder; Josh Ryan, Silver Music Entertainment Founder; Kike Oniwinde - BYP Network Founder; Kubi Springer - Boss Squad TV Founder and Brand Consultant; Tom Lawal, barrister.
New to TikTok and want to get involved in this fantastic series of TikTok LIVEs to celebrate Black History Month 2020? It couldn't be easier, simply download the app for free via the Apple App Store, Google Play or Amazon and sign up!
